Feed mechanism for spring inserting machines



a. R. SCHNEEEIBER 2:? AL. 1,9353%- FEED MECHANISM FOR SPRING INSERTING MACHINES Filed NOV. 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 4 BERNARD RSCHNFIIDER KAR 47 INVENTOR T ATTORNEY ame Z@, 193 B, R, sCHNElDER ET AL 1,915,241

FEED MECHANISM FOR SPRING INSERTING MACHINES 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.

-- INVENTORS.

EERNARD R. SCHNEIDER KA L m /7 k, THEfl TTORNEY June 20, 1933. y B. R. SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,915,264

FEED MECHANISM FOR SPRING INSERTING MACHINES 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov.

BERNAR R KA ER 5 /Q EH? ATTORNEY June 20, 1933. B. R. SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,915,264

FEED MECHANISM FOR SPRING INSERTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m1": I II! 1} m l 4 l x I x l 1 l INVENTORS BERNARD R SCHNEDER K KAl ER BY o -cA -L l ATTORNEY Patented June 20, 1933 were STATES relaxer PATENT orrics BERNARD Bl. SCHNEIDER, OF LYNDHURST, AND KARL KAISER, OF RIDGEFIELD, JERSEY, ASSIG-NORS, BY Iv'IE-SNE ASSIGEIVIETNTS, TO S. KABPEN & BROS, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FEED IlQECEUANISB: F03 SPRING INSERTING IMAGI-IINES Application filed I-Tovember 15, 1930. Serial No. 495,822.

The invention relates to stripfeedmechanism for or included in a spring inserting machine of the character disclosed in our prior application, Serial No. 363,869, filed May 17, l929, the construction and operation features of which are referred to 1noreparticularly hereinafter in connection with the features of the present invention.

' A general objectof the present invention is to provide improved and positively acting means for advancing the strip in properly coordinated or synchronized relation to the spring inserting and compressing, means, or operations, of the complete machine.

In the, above identified application the pocketed fabric strip is advanced after spring-inserting actions by movement of the spring inserting carrier supplemented by belt mechanism, which for some purposes has insufficiently positive action, This invention providespositive gripper means which grasp the strip and positively, advance thestrip 7 after each spring-insertion.

Our inventions are'particularly applicable'for insertion in a fabric described and claimed in U. S. Patent No. 1,777,020, dated September 30, 1980, the distinctive features of preferred forms of patented fabric comprising upper and lower folds of which have been previously sewed, woven or otherwise secured to one another to define the pocket sides, such securement terminating at locations spaced from the mouth sides of the fabric, to enable the front of the springinserting carrier to move in its return movement from pocket to pocket between the upper and lower folds of the fabric.

Means is also provided by whichthe gripper means are preliminarily movedslightly in the advancing direction to tension the l yers of the strip and cause separation of the free-pocket margins atthe mouth through which the next spring is to be inserted, thus to facilitate the movement of the spring carrier to insert the spring into such pocket; and thereafter, and after the spring is released from the action ofthe compressing members, the gripper means are moved to advancethe strip one pocket displacement; the individual grippers are then opened and then moved nism embodying the invention in one form;

Fig. 2 is an elevation at the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan, showing the respective upper and lower grippers at their terminal positions in the direction of advancement of the strip, preparatory for the return movement of the grippers toward the spring-inserting carrier; this view also shows sufficient parts of the springinserting carrier and spring clamping or compressing element-s of the complete machine, in their corresponding operative positions of the cycle. I

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12,

and 13 and 14, are respectively top plans and longitudinal sections, showing successive operative positions of the cycle. I

In accordance with the organization and plan of operations of the complete springinserting machine, as disclosed in our japplication above identified, coil or helical springs 1 are inserted in the successive pockets 2 of a fabric strip 3, which is woven or otherwise formed to provide overlying fabric layers 4 and 5, connected at one longitudinal side 6 and unconnected at the other side 7, to form open months, with equally spaced, transverse weavings, sewings or other securement 8, to connect the two portions of the strip together and thus form the pockets.

' essentially of a carrier formed of spaced members 10, having at one intermediate portion flange formations 11 toreceive and confine the aboutto -be'-inserted spring 1 in compressed condition. The tip ends 12 of the members are located. and move between the free margins at the open mouths of the fabric strip at the open edge 7.

At a predetermined point in relation to the longitudinal 0r advancing movement of.

the fabric'strip, spring compressing plates 13 are located aboveand below the strip, and supported by plungers 14 which are operated at proper times to move the plates con- ,vergently, engage the fabric faces of the pocket and compress the therein enclosed spring, as shownin Fig. 4.

'In some cases, as also disclosed in-the above identified application, frictional retarding means such as rolls ,70 are applied to the margin of the fabric strip, at the open edge 7 ,zan'dfat points anterior of the spring inserting and clamping'means. The present feed mechanism cooperates'with such friction rolls in an initial tension movement or action, as will appear. i

The spring carrier in the complete machine, as also fully set forth in our aforesaid prior application, is moved in a substantially rectangular path, in it's own plane and that of the fabric strip, first to a position in which a springis delivered froina magazine or feed chute and placed within the flanges 11, 11 of the carrier and held compressed by the flangesll; the carrier then moves to the right, i. e., opposite to the direction of strip movement (which is toward the left in Figs. 3 and following) with its ends 12 located between the upper and lower free fabric margins, and then toward the strip to insert the spring in a centeredyposition in a pocket; then longitudinally along with the" strip for a pocket width displacement, at which position the spring is in centered position between the compressing plates 13; and then as the spring is compressed at that position the carrier is withdrawn outwardly from the strip, the spring being retained within the pocket by the plates'13. ,The carrier then returns to its springreceiving position and the aforesaid steps are repeated.

The present improved strip feed mechanism, as shown complete in Figs. 1 and 2,

and as represented by the grippers 'in Figs. 3 to 14, is designed for incorporation in. or

"application to a complete machine'of the character referred to or equivalent.

It includes a gripper slide or carriage arranged to reciprocate on a base which may be a plate or frame piece 21 constituting a part complete machine.

of the frame or upper bed structure of the The carriage body is bored to receive a guide bar 22, the ends of which are. fixed in lugs 23 secured to the base 21; or otherwise, the bar may be fixed 1 in the carriage and reciprocate in the lugs. The carriage also has an extension 24 provided with a gib 25, arranged to slide in a V-channel in a guide bar 26 on the base. The carriage has upwardly projecting plates or standards 27. A lower rock shaft 28 is mounted to oscillate in bearing bosses 29 in the standards 77, and projects inward below the fabric strip, see Fig. 2; an upper rock shaft 30 is similarly mounted in similar bearing bosses 31 at the tops of the standards, and projects inward above the strip. At each side of the strip is a pair of grippers, each pair consisting of an upper gripping jaw 32 and a lower jaw 33 positionedto oppose each other 'andgrip between them a correspondfixed on the upper rock shaft 30, and each lower jaw is carried ,by a similar arm 34 having a hub 35 fixed onthe lower rock shaft 28. To move the upper and lower jaws of each pair simultaneously, convergently 01- divergently, meshed segment gears 36 are fixed to the upper and lower rock shafts 30 and 28. i I

'To reciprocate the gripper carriage and grippers, an upright lever 37 is fulcrumed on a shaft 38 which is mounted in bearings on a base plate 39, which may be a part of the lower base or bed of the complete machine, or secured'thereto. The upper end of the lever is connected by a link 40 on the carriage, and at an'intermediate pointthe lever has a cam follower 41, engaging the periphery of a cam body 42 fixed on a shaft 43, which is supported in bearings at the top of standards 44 located on the base member '39. Cam body 42 is eccentric to the shaft, or is so contoured as to provide for the main traversing movement of the gripper carriage, and preferably also, it has a quick-drop portion or formation 45 to produce a tensloning effect as will appear.

v For operating the grippers, a bell crank 46 "is mounted or fulcrumed on shaft 38 and has its lower arm 47 connected by a link 48 to an 'arm 49 fixed on the outer end of the lower rise portion 52 and drop portion '53 to effect respectively opening and closing movements of the grippers. The lever 37 and bell crank 46 may be normally urged to retain their respective cam followers in contact with the came, to effect traverse of the carriage in one '(llIBCiIlOIl' and movement of the grippers in i one directiomby springs 54 connected to the levers and fixed points, such as pins on the base structure.

Shaft 43 which is the initial driving memher for the present feed mechanism, is driven in any suitable way in properly timed or synchronous relation to the complete machine, asby a sprocket on shaft 43 connected by a chain (not shown) to any convenient driving shaft of the main machine.

The positions of the parts as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 correspond substantially to those shown in Figs. 13, and 14.

Figs. 11 and 12 show what might be regarded as a first operative position of the 7 complete cycle. A spring 1 has been inserted in the forward channel formations of the spring carrier 9 and the carrier has been moved toward the strip to partly insert the spring in the pocket. In Figs. 13 and 14 the carrier has completed its forward movement, placing the spring in centered position in the pocket and has also advanced with the strip toward the spring pressing position between'the compressing plates 13 which are at this time separated, as shown in Fig. 14.

WVhen the carrier is in about the position of Fig.11, the gripper jaws are moved to closed position, Fig. 12, by the action of cam 51, bell crank 46, link 48, arm 49 and the segment gears 36 gripping the fabric strip at opposite margins and at points near or in line with a transverse row of the connecting stitches or threads 8, with resilient butpositive gripping pressure provided by spring 54. The first movement of the gripper carriage and grippers may be a slight one (toward the left in Figs. 1 and 11) provided by i the slight drop portion 45 of cam 42, thus providing a tensioning effect upon the strip and especially upon its margins at the open edge F, in cooperation with the action of the retarding or friction rolls to separate the strip margins and facilitate entry of the spring carrier and spring. The spring compressing plates 18 then being separated, Fig. 14, cam 42, or the spring actuating lever 37 in cooperation with the cam, move the gripper carriage and grippers to the left, and draw the strip positively to the left, the spring carrier moving along with the strip, and until the parts are in the position of Figs. 3 and 4, where the spring is located in centered relation between the compressing plates which are then moved convergently to compress the spring, Fig. 4. The spring carrier then commences to withdraw from the pocket, as shown in Fig. 5, while the grippers are'moved to open position, free from the strip, Fig. 6 and the gripper carriage moves toward the compressing plates. In Fig. 7 the spring carrier has moved outward to the limit, its forward ends still remaining between the strip margins at the open edge .7 the inserted spring remains in compressed condition; the

by reference to specific formations thereof it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

7 We claim:

1. In a machine for inserting springs in a pocketed fabric strip, means for inserting springs.individually within the fabric strip pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring stages of said spring inserting means and for holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means comprising'grippers adapted to grasp the strip at opposite sides, means for closing and open-" ing the grippers, and means for moving the grippers in one direction after the closing action to advance the strip, and in the other direction after the opening action, the gripper moving means being arranged to preliminarily pull the strip in a tensioning and strip-margin-opening action, and thereafter to advance the strip one pocket distance.

2. In a machine for inserting springs in a pocketed fabric strip having unconnected margins at one side, in combination with spring inserting means and spring compressing means, strip advancing means comprising pairs of grippers mounted for concurrent movement toward and from the compressing means and also arranged to grip the strip at opposite margins, means for opening and closlng the grippers, and means insertion H for moving them to advance the strip, said moving means being devised to tension the strip in a margin opening action prior to an inserting movement of the inserting means.

3. Strip feed mechanism for a spring inserting machine, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strip pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring stages of said spring inserting means and for holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocation, pairs of grippers at oppositesides of the carriage, the grippers of each pair being interinsertion connected and arranged; to receive between them ainargin of the strip and to grip said margin at points between the pockets, means for reciprocating the carriage, and, means for operating the grippers.

7 intervals '4. Strip feed mechanism for a spring insert-ing machine, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric str p pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advanc ng the fabric strip vat intermediate spring insertion stages of said-spring inserting means and vfor holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring inser- 1 tion, said str p advancing means comprising tion, a link connecting it to operate the grippers, and a cam for operating the bell crank.

5. Strip feed mechanism for a spring inserting machine, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strippockets at intermittent stages of, operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring insertion stages of said spring inserting means and for holding the fabricstrip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means coinprisinga carriage mounted for reciprocation, pairs of grippers at opposite sides of the carriage,'the grippers pocketed fabric strip, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strip of eachpair being inter-connected and arranged to receive between them a margin of the strip and to grip said margins at points between the pockets,*a lever mounted for oscillation and connected to reciprocate the carriage, a can for operating the lever, a bellcrank mounted for oscillation, a link con necting it to operate the grippers, and a cam for operating the bell crank, the first named cam having a slight rise portion for a tensioning movement of the carriage and another portion to effect a strip feed movement of the carriage.

6. Strip feed mechanism for a spring inserting machine, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strip pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring insertion stages of said spring inserting means and for holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means comprising a cari'iage mounted for reciprocation, pairs of grippers at opposite sides of'the carriage, theegrippers of each pair being inter-connected and arranged to receive between them a margin of the strip and to grip said marginat points between the pockets, a lever mounted for oscillation and connected to reciprocate the carriage, aicain foroperating the lever, a bellcrank mounted for oscillation, a link connecting it to operate the gripers and a cam for o )era tin the bell crank a shaft carrying said cams, and means for driving the shaft in synchronized relation to the spring inserting machine.

, I 7. Strip feed mechanism for a spring inserting machine, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strip pockets 7 at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring insertion stages of said spring inserting means; and. for holding the fabric strip substantially: quiescent during thestage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means comprising a carriage mountto operate the grippers, and a cam for operating the bell crank, the first named cam having a slight rise portion for a tensioning movement of the carriage and another portion toeflect a strip feed movement of the carriage, a shaft carrying said cams, and

means for driving the shaft in synchronized relation to the spring inserting machine.

8. In a machine for nserting springs in a pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabricstrip at intervals intermediate spring insertion stages of saidspring inserting means and for holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent 7 in the other direction to a. position for a closing action, the gripper moving means being arranged to preliminarily pull the strip in a tensioning and StIIP-JHHIgDT-OPGDHIg action,

and thereafter-to advance the strip one pocket distance.

' 9. In a machine for inserting-springs in a pocketed fabric strip having unconnected margins at one side, in combination with spring inserting means and spring compressing means, strip advancing means comprising pairs of grippers mounted for concurrent movement toward and from the compressing means and also arranged to grip the strip at opposite margins, means for opening the grippers and for closing them with spring pressure, and means for moving the grippers to advance the strip, said moving means being devised to tension the strip in a margin opening action prior to an inserting movement of the inserting means.

10. In a machine for inserting springs in a pocketed fabric strip, means for inserting springs individually within the fabric strip pockets at intermittent stages of operation and means for advancing the fabric strip at intervals intermediate spring insertion stages of said spring inserting means and for holding the fabric strip substantially quiescent during the stage of spring insertion, said strip advancing means comprising members adapted to grasp the strip at opposite sides,

means for closing and opening the members, and means for moving the members in one direction after the closing action to advance the strip, and in the other direction after the opening action, the moving means being arranged to preliminarily pull the strip in a tensioning and strip-margin-opening action, and thereafter to advance the strip one pocket distance.

11. Ina machine for inserting springs in a pocketed fabric strip having unconnected margins at one side, in combination with spring inserting means and spring compressing means, strip advancing means comprising pairs of members mounted for concurrent movement toward and from the com pressing means and also arranged to engage the strip at opposite margins, means for opening and closing the members, and means for moving them to advance the strip, said moving means being devised to tension the strip in a margin opening action prior to an inserting movement of the inserting means.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification this 24th day of Oct. 1930.

BERNARD R. SCHNEIDER. KARL KAISER. 

